hateful

adjective

hate·​ful ˈhāt-fəl 

1

: full of hate : malicious

2

: deserving of or arousing hate

hatefully

ˈhāt-fə-lē 

adverb

hatefulness noun

Synonyms

• malicious
• vicious
• cruel
• nasty

Examples of hateful in a Sentence

the girl's classmates were bullying her online, sending her hateful e-mails and text messages

Recent Examples on the Web

According to research from Copyleaks, an AI analysis firm that helps businesses and institutions navigate the shifting landscape of this emergent technology, a new trend has produced Sora videos of celebrities appearing to spew hateful racist epithets. —Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025

Other fits have been hateful, veering into racist and antisemitic diatribes. —Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025

This week in politics In the hours and days after a Politco exposé revealed the chair and vice chair of the Kansas Young Republicans sent bigoted messages in a group chat with members from three other states, Kansas GOP officials emphatically disavowed the hateful and violent rhetoric. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 Oct. 2025

To her surprise, she was met with thousands of hateful comments bashing her outfit. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from hate hate entry 1 + -ful -ful entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hateful

• ungrateful
• fateful
• grateful

Kids Definition

hateful

adjective

hate·​ful ˈhāt-fəl 

1

: full of hate : malicious

hateful enemies

2

: causing or deserving hate

a hateful crime

hatefully

-fə-lē 

adverb

hatefulness noun